Automobile roof construction



W. F. HAYES` AUTOMOBILE ROOF CONSTRUCTION Oct. 22, 1935.

Filed Apri/1 4, 19:52

Patented Oct. 22, 1935 PATENT OFFICE 2,018,444 y AUTOMOBILE ROOF CONSTRUCTION William F. Hayes, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Gagnier Fibre Products Company, Detroit,

Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 4, 1932, serial No. '603,149

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an automobile, roof construction, particularly of the type that includes a single panel constituting substantially the entire roof of the vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to the construction of an automobile roof Of a unitary character, in which the parts entering into the roof construction are assembled in iixed relation to each other without the use of extraneous fasteners.

In Patent #1,842,283, granted January 19, 1932, there is disclosed an automobile roof construction including a unitary roof panel, that is assembled with respect to the automobile by bringing about an interlocking between the metallic frame surrounding the opening that is intended to receive the panel and the metallic frame of such panel without' the use of extraneous fasteners. The present invention relates to an improvement in roofs oi the character of said patent, in providing simple and effective means for securing the parts constituting the roof panel together without use of bolts, screws, rivets or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rooi panel construction including an Open metallic frame and a cover for the frame, in which the cover is anchored to the intermediate members of the frame, as well as the side and end members thereof, by means which does not penetrate the cover, and that may be applied expeditiously by utilizing projections, struck or otherwise integrally formed with the frame members, toI hold the cover in place upon the frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel way of securing the lining for the inside of the roof to the panel frame members, so that the lining is held effectively by means that are invisible from the interior of the automobile.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a roof panel construction including a roof and frame and a brous cover to the frame, in which the iibrous cover is provided with an outer or surface layer of a material capable ofV being successfully treated with the same finishing paint or coating that is customarily used upon the metallic parts of the body, to the end that the roof panel may be nished in precisely the same color as the metallic parts of the automobile with which the roof is associated.

50 Further objects of the invention will appear as a description thereof proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a roof panel constructed in accordance with the present inven- -55 tion, parts thereof being broken away.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 2 2 in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the plane indicated by the line 3 3 in Figure l in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a side or end of the panel showing the preferred way of securing the cover to the metallic frame ofthe roof panel adjacent the sides and ends thereof. l0

Figure 5 is a plan View oi the parts appearing in Figure 4, with the exception of the molding, which has been omitted to expose the cover securing means.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View ll through an intermediate frame member of a rooi. panel constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7 is a view showing the parts appearing in Figure 6 as seen from beneath the roof panel. 20

Figure 8 is a fragmental detail view of the channel-shaped members showing a preferred way of attaching said members to the side frame member. Y

Figure 9 is a fragmental sectional View of a 25 preferred form of covering for the roof panel.

Figure l0 is a fragmental sectional view showing the roof frame of the present invention interlocked with respect to a frame member of the automobile body, and illustrating a preferred way 30 of attaching the lining for the inside of the roof to the intermediate frame members.

Figure 1l is a fragmental sectional View taken on the plane indicated by the line II-II in Figure 10. 35

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 showing a modification.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

The roof panel of the present invention con- 40 sists of a metallic frame, consisting of ends III, sides II and a plurality of intermediate frame members I 2 extending transversely of the panel at spaced intervals along the length thereof. The side and end members I and II are preferably'constructed of angular form, providing a horizontally disposed flange I3, presenting a shelf upon which the cover forthe panel is disposed, and a vertical web I4. In order to increase the strength of the angular frame member the web I4 is bent to form a bead I5, said bead also serving to provide a means, whereby a molding may be interlocked with respect to the frame of the panel, and whereby the panel itself may be interlocked with respect to a frame surrounding the opening in which the roof panel is Y disposed as described in mv above referred to patent. The ends and sides may be Welded or otherwise secured together at the corners of the frame. Preferably, the intermediate members I2 are constructed of flanged channels, each member consisting of a channel portion I3 and flanges ifi and l5 projecting laterally of the channel portion I3 in opposite directions. Each of said intermediate members is formed so that the flanges I4 and I5 of said members project substantially endwise beyond the vchannel I3', as illustrated in Figure 8 of Lthe drawing, providing attaching flanges |6 and l'l-that may be perforated at I8 for attachment to vthe side frame members The flanges I6 and i'lmay be offset as indicated at i9 so that said flanges may be secured against the under surface of the horizontal flange I3 of a side framemember with the flanges I4 and I5 of the inter-V mediate member |2 located inthe same plane as the horizontally disposed flange AI3. The intermediate members may be secured to the side frame members Vas by rivets 2|), Figures 3 and :'25 inpassing through the perforations I8 and corresponding openings in the horizontal flange I3. The intermediate members may be secured to the side frame members in any other convenient g manner. Said members With the end and side members form an open frame fora unitary roof panelthat is intended to constitute substantially the entire roof of the automobile. M

TheV open frame of the roof panel thus provided is covered by means of a unitary sheetvlike cover 2i, which is cut tothe desired size and preferably applied to the open frame by means of a press, or theV like, that will give to the sheet like cover the necessary camber, if

such is desired. Y Preferably thel frame is disposed on the press bed so that the unitary cover2| may beV shaped upon the frame and firmly pressed into contact With the frame members thereof.

The cover 2| is preferably constructed of a lbody 22 of relatively stiff cardboard Which may or may notrbe reinforcedY Withra wire fabric 23, Figure 9, to increasethe stiffness and the strength of said body. Preferably, vthe Ybody 22 and the cover 2| `have a surface layer'24 of suitable'fabric material that is adhesively applied to the outer surface of said body. The fabric 24 preferably is similar in structure to oilY cloth and'has n applied Vto its exposed surface a coating Vcomposition 25 of any nature to render the cover Waterproof and nonabsorbent of moisture.

Preferably, the outer coating 25 is of aV character that may be coated With the ordinary coating composition, that are applied to 'the Ametal Work of automobile, soY that the roof or cover 30 may-be painted the same shade Yor color` as the metallic bodies of the automobile'to which it may be applied, utilizing the same coating composition toattain this end. Y

'It is desirable that the cover'2l be firmly se- Y cured to the frame of the panel at intervals along the sides and ends of the panels and along the Vlengths Vof the intermediate members, to the end that4 the'`V cover be maintained in hrm contact Withthe frame at allrrpoints thus preventu 70 ingbulging Vof the roof and vibration ofthe cov-V Y er Vwith a differing period of vibration from the Y, iframe, Whenthe roofV panel has jbeen `applied to an automobilevthat is putinto use. ,To this end means are provided for securing ,the cover to Yf5 che frame VWithout the use of separate fastening vmetallic frame members.

elements such as bolts, screws, rivets or the like, that will require the alignment of perforations in superposed members, which alignment is al- Ways difficult to secure in actual practice. In

order to secure the cover 2| to the side'and end 5 -tial-lyat-right angles to the flange |3 as shown at 21 (Figure r4). Upon application of the cover to theframe in the manner above described, the 15 tongues or projections 21 are caused to penetrate the fibrous material constituting a cover v2| and the ends 28 of said tongues are crimped uponand forced into the outer surface of the cover thus firmly holding the cover upon the 20 side and end'members at spaced intervals around the peripheryxthereof. n

In order that the covermay be held in firmA contactwiththeintermediatemember |2, the cover is preferably providedwith strips 29 of suitablevgs fabric, paper or the *like `that are adhesively securedI to the under'surface thereof in proper-'position so that when the coverisassembled upon the frame ofthe panel, said strips will parallel the intermediate members Y|-2 and be disposedcao closely adjacent thereto. While `it is preferred that one edge yof thestrip 29 be continuously adhesively secured tothe underside ofathe'cover by suitable cement, said strips 'may be secured K to the cover bymeansof staples 3i), the legs ofi-35 Whichrdo not penetrate completely through-the vcover 2| is illustrated in Figure 12 of the drawing.

-After the cover -has been applied-to the side and end members of the-frame, as above de- `4r() scribed, the strips 29 are -rmly secured to the intermediate framefmembers l2 by means of projections forming -an integral part of the sheet This ispreferably accomplished :by `forming lat intervals along the .45

Vlengthof the flange 45 of intermediate member Y|2 a series of V-shapedrslits 3| separating tongues of this conflgurationffrom a flange of the intermediate member. Said vtongues are `preferably bent at right .angles tothe 'frames of lthe .flangesoV prior to the incorporation of 4the .intermediate membersin the frameof the Vpanel, and, after the cover has beenapplied thereto, thefreev edges thereof are brought into voverlapping relation VtoY the adjacent flanges ofthe :panel frame and aret55V hooked upon the V-shaped tongues orprojectlons 32. Said l.tongues or Yprojections are then.V bent toward the flange `of the panel by any suitable tool, thus serving .to place the ,strips A29 under tension and thus hold Athe cover 2| in Contact@ vwith the flanges of thepanel uponfwhich it rests.

Similar strips may-be applied to theunder surface of the cover so that both flanges of the panel may be united to the-cover, though one strip for each intermediate member is generally sufficient in this regard.

It will be understood that by this arrangement the strips 2S may be Vsecured tothe intermediate members Ywith great expedition Without the use'V `of 'extraneous fastening elements, and that the4 strips are held lunder* tension to which theyarev subjected Vwhen Ythe tongues 32 are bent toward the flanges from Whichthey'are struck. Y Y

In order to facilitate the attachmentof the linings of the inside or the roof afterthereonVM panel has been interlocked with respect to the automobile body, the intermediate members I2 of the frame of the roof panel are formed so as to present tongues 33, preferably V-shaped in side elevation, to permit the ready attachment of said linings when the interior of the body is being completed.

Preferably, the lining 34 which may be of any character, consists of a suitable cloth or fabric, as is customary in the art, provided with a pleat or fold 35, Figure 11, formed by doubling a relatively short portion of the fabric at the point where it is to be united to the transverse frame member l2. Preferably the portions of the fold are secured together by a suitable adhesive so that the fold is substantially invisible from the interior of the automobile body. Such pleat or fold 35 is forced upon the tongues 33 which project at substantial right angles to the frame member l2, prior to the application of the lining 34, and which are subsequently bent so as to clamp the pleat or fold between the side wall of the panel l2 and the tongue 33 after the latter has been caused to penetrate the fabric. I'he linings may be secured to the side and ends of the car body in the manner described in my application Serial Number 447,953 filed April 28th, 1930, or in any other approved manner.

If so desired, the lining may be connected to the intermediate frame members of the roof panel in the manner illustrated in Figure 12 of the drawing, if a lining 34' devoid of seams or folds is desired. In this form of the invention a strip 35, that is adhesively secured to the inside of the lining, adjacent the intermediate frame member i2 is used. One edge of the strip 36 is maintained free of attachment to the lining and said edge is forced upon the outwardly projecting tongues 33, which are then bent upwardly to rmly hold the lining in place without the use of extraneous fasteners of any kind.

In the use of the present invention, it will be understood that the roof panel is constructed as a separate unit and brought to completed form before the panel'is secured to the automobile body, and that the intermediate members I2 are provided with the tongues 33 to subsequently receive the lining, the lining being attached when the interior of the body is being completed, and after the roof panel has been permanently assembled with respect to the body. In order that the panel, after completion, may be readily assembled with respect to the body, the body is provided with a frame surrounding the roof opening that is intended to receive the roof panel, which 'frame is formed as illustrated in cross section in Figure i of the drawing. As shown in this figure, the frame constitutes a portion 31 which may form a part of the side or end of the body, an offset portion 38 and a channel 39 shaped to receive the bead l of the panel frame member, as well as a molding 46, which may be, and preferably is, applied to the edge of the roof panels and secured thereto by being bent around said bead I5. Said molding includes a horizontally extending portion 4|, that laps and covers when the molding is in operative position, the tongues or projections 28 which extend through the cover 2|. Said molding also includes further a portion 42 that covers the line of juncture between the roof panel and frame and a downwardly extending flange 43. The lower edge of said flange is bent around the bead I5 in assembling the molding with respect to the panel as described in my patent above referred to.

The invention may be embodied in other specinc forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the 5 scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced l0 therein.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In an automobile roof panel consisting of an open metallic frame including side, end and intermediate members, said sides, end, and interl5 mediate members being rigidly secured together,

a cover for said frame constructed of a single piece of relative stiff and at material, and means to secure said cover under tension to said intermediate members without penetration of said cover, said means substantially limiting motion of said cover to movements as a unit with said frame.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said last named means consists of strips paralleling said intermediate members and secured continuously to the inside of said cover, said strips being secured to said members by tongues struck therefrom.

3. An automobile roof panel comprising an open metal frame, a cover for the frame in the form of a unitary sheet of relatively stiff and flat material, strips extending along a portion of said frame and secured under tension to said cover so as to prevent substantial vibration of said cover relative to said frame, and integral means struck from said portion of the frame securing said strips thereto.

4. An automobile roof panel comprising an open metallic frame including side, end and intermediate frame members rigidly secured together, a cover for said frame in the form of a unitary sheet of relatively stiff and flat material, and means including tongues struck from said members to secure said cover to said side, end 45 and intermediate frame members so as to prevent substantial movement of said cover in any direction with respect to said members.

5. In an automobile roof panel construction,

a metallic flanged channel constituting an open frame member, a unitary relatively stiff cover resting on the iianges of the channel, intermediate frame members rigidly secured to said frame,

a stripadhesively secured to said cover adjacent said last named members, and means to secure said strips under tension to said intermediate frame members for securing the body of said cover against substantial vibration with respect to said frame.

6. An automobile roof panel comprising an G0 open frame consisting of side and end frame members defining the edges of the panel and intermediate frame members rigidly secured to and reinforcing said edge defining members, a unitary cover of stili fibrous material lapping all of said frame members, means to secure the edges of said cover to said edge defining frame members, and strips applied under tension to secure the body of said cover to said intermediate frame members without perforation of said cover and so that said cover is prevented from freely Vibrating with a diiferent period than that of said open frame.

WM. F'. HAYES. 

